No fewer than 200 students were trapped when a school building collapsed during their third-term promotional examinations.
The incident took place at Saint Academy in the Busa Buji community of Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, around 11 am on Friday, July 12, 2024. The school is situated near the Busa Buji bridge, just a stone’s throw from the river.
Witnesses attribute the collapse to heavy rainfall from Wednesday to Thursday, while others point to the school’s proximity to the river as a contributing factor.
The scene has been filled with distraught parents, loved ones, and well-wishers, all praying for the safety of the trapped students.
Musa Ashoms, the Plateau Commissioner for Information and Communication, confirmed that approximately 200 students were trapped in the collapse. Ashoms, along with other commissioners, including the Commissioner for Secondary Education, visited the site.
He stated that the school had a total population of about 400 students, with the collapsed section housing around 200.
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“The collapsed building has resulted in casualties, and injured students are still being evacuated to hospitals,” Ashoms said. “We cannot ascertain the exact number of casualties until the evacuation is completed. The emergency workers are making significant efforts in the rescue operations.”
Governor Caleb Mutfwang has urged medical personnel to prioritize saving the lives of survivors, emphasizing that they should not request payment due to the emergency nature of the situation.
Ashoms highlighted that the incident underscores the importance of Order 003 of the state government, which enforces the Greater Jos Master Plan to prevent such tragedies.
He noted that the collapsed building, situated in a waterlogged area, did not meet construction standards. The Jos Metropolitan Development Board will ensure that faulty buildings are demolished and that ongoing constructions conform to proper standards.
